NEW YORK – The Coast Guard honored FDNY Marine 9 with the Meritorious Public Service Award in a ceremony at Staten Island, N.Y., Wednesday.
Capt. Gordon Loebl, commander of Coast Guard Sector New York, presented Capt. Chris Kelleher, of FDNY, with the award for recognition to his crew for their exceptional service and assistance rendered to the Coast Guard in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Coast Guard Station New York’s five buildings and piers sustained severe damage due to the devastation of Hurricane Sandy last November leaving Station New York without a functioning location to effectively and safely conduct their missions.
“We looked at what our best options would be for a location to operate out of and we needed to be close to the other response units,” said Lt. Cmdr. Bill Walsh, commanding officer of Coast Guard Station New York. “When the fire chieftold us that we could stay at their firehouse, it seemed like the perfect fit.”
The crew of FDNY Marine 9 graciously offered to house members of Station New York and provide them with pier space for their ready-response Coast Guard boats.
For nearly three months, members from Station New York operated out of FDNY’s firehouse at the Homeport Pier in Staten Island, where they were integrated into the firehouse routine often cooking family-style meals for the duty crews and cleaning the firehouse.
The crews, who have worked together in the past, developed a strong bond and newfound appreciation for their services.
“It’s been great for the crews to work together and build these relationships,” said Walsh. “We will no longer be strangers on the water.”
Capt. Gordon Loebl, right, commander of Coast Guard Sector New York, and Capt. Chris Kelleher of FDNY Marine 9 read the citation accompanying Meritorious Public Service Award in a ceremony in Staten Island, N.Y., Feb. 13, 2013. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jetta H. Disco.
Capt. Gordon Loebl, right, commander of Coast Guard Sector New York, and Capt. Chris Kelleher of FDNY Marine 9 shake hands after receiving the Meritorious Public Service Award in a ceremony in Staten Island, N.Y., Feb. 13, 2013. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jetta H. Disco.
Lt. Cmdr. Bill Walsh, from left, commanding officer of Coast Guard Station New York, Chief Dan Schug, FDNY, Chief John Spillane, FDNY, Capt. Chris Kelleher, FDNY, Capt. Gordon Loebl, center, commander of Coast Guard Sector New York, Chief James Dalton, FDNY, and Chief Michael Buckheit, FDNY, gather following an award ceremony in Staten Island, N.Y., Feb. 13, 2013. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jetta H. Disco.
